by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — Harness racing’s longest shining star, Foiled Again, became the first three-time champion of Northfield Park’s Battle of Lake Erie when he crossed the wire a winner on Friday (June 12). Approaching the start the 11-year-old was already the richest Standardbred of all-time and became the first horse to earn in excess of $7 million with his triumph.

JJ Zamaiko photo

Foiled Again held off Clear Vision to win the Battle of Lake Erie.

Foiled Again (Dragon Again-In A Safe Place) is owned by the partnership of Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and JJK Stables. He is trained by Ron Burke, who called upon Matt Kakaley to drive.

Foiled Again started from post five and sat fourth through the :26 opening quarter. Kakaley pulled Foiled Again in the second panel and he remained first-over through times of :53.4 and 1:21.3.

Foiled Again took advantage of his chance when Luck Be Withyou, who had led throughout, went offstride entering the final turn. Foiled Again inherited the lead and fought off his competition in the stretch to win by a neck, stopping the timer at 1:50.3.

“I knew if I was close turning for home he would out grit them,” said Kakaley “He is the toughest horse ever in the history of harness racing, for sure.”

The win pushes Foiled Again’s earnings to $7,012,531.

Following Foiled Again were Clear Vision, Cammikey, Big Boy Dreams, State Treasurer, Duc Dorleans, Night Pro and Luck Be Withyou.

Foiled Again started this year a bit sluggish and many people were calling for Ron Burke to retire the champion pacer. However, Burke discovered that the horse had an entrapped epiglottis and scheduled the minor surgery in early May. Friday’s performance was Foiled Again’s first start post-operation.

“He is as good as ever and still has a lot of racing left in him,” said Burke. “He is the horse that has built our barn. I cannot say enough good things about him. I love this horse.”